Double Podium for De la Torre at COTA

Elias De La Torre IV scored a double podium at COTA over the weekend in only his 2nd ever Lamborghini Super Trofeo Event.

Elias De La Torre IV took part in his second Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America event at the weekend at the Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas.

A short break after his Porsche duties in Carrera Cup Elias was straight on the pace in free practice on Friday in the #29 HCB Yachts Lamborghini Orlando Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo EVO2. A fantastic first qualifying saw Elias miss out on pole position for race one by just 3 tenths, but in qualifying for race 2 he was unable to get a clear lap in the 43 car field and would line up in P8.

After two formation laps the green flag waved and Elias briefly took the lead on the run up to turn one but had to drop back into P2, slotting right on the back of the leader until the safety car was deployed on lap 2 for the #54 that had gone off track, racing resumed on lap 4 and the #29 HCB Yachts Lamborghini held position at the start but was now in a three car battle for the lead. The pit window opened on lap 7 with Elias opting to stop for his mandatory pit stop on lap 8. Having to serve an extra 3 seconds because he was driving alone Elias dropped one position whilst leaving the pits putting him into P3. Another safety car on lap 11 neutralised the race. The race resumed on lap 14 with Elias now in a 4-car battle for the lead but almost immediately another car crashed bringing out the safety car again. The race resumed with just one minute remaining and the 4-car battle continued with Elias briefly being nudged back to 4th until the 2nd and 3rd place cars touched and span across the path of the #29 where Elias skilfully avoided contact and continued for the remainder of the lap crossing the line in P2 and achieving his first Lamborghini Super Trofeo Podium.

Race two on Sunday saw Elias start from P8, as the green flag waved Elias moved up one position in turn one and snatched P6 through turn two & three but unfortunately a safety car halted his charge. Racing resumed on lap 5 and Elias held position at the restart and battled with the leading pack. The pit window opened on lap7 with Elias opting to pit on lap 9 to serve his compulsory stop. A fast out lap saw him move into P5 and once all the cars had made their stops the #29 had moved into P4 and onto the back of the leading pack. A spin for the 3rd place car elevated Elias into P3 where he set about catching P2. Although his lap times were faster than the car he was chasing he eventually ran out of time taking the flag in P3 to secure his second podium of the weekend.

Elias will be back on Porsche Duties in September racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup at Indianapolis.